Hulai II WPC, China Coast Guard’s FRC

Philippine Coast Guard resupply mission encounters China Coast Guard

Philippine attempts to resupply Second Thomas Shoal, and Chinese effort to block those efforts have become common. Apparently, the Philippines succeeded recently. There was, in fact, a US Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft flying low overhead providing overwatch.

US Navy P-8 observing Philippine resupply mission

The resulting confrontation provided a lot of photos including ships of a class of China Coast Guard cutters that look a bit like US Coast Guard Webber class cutters.

China Coast Guard cutter attempts to block passage of Philippine supply vessel.

The only thing I have been able to find out about these little ships was from the Office of Naval Intelligence’s (ONI) Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, Coast Guard, Ship Identification Guide, which to my eye identifies them as the Hulai II class, which is reportedly 54 meters (177′) in length, with 30 units in the class. The length sounds right. They appear to be a bit longer than the Fast Response Cutters (47m/154′). I haven’t been able to locate any other information on the class.

Previously, China Coast Guard cutters guarding Second Thomas Shoal all seemed to be relatively large. Perhaps the Chinese realized their larger ships could be outmaneuvered and brought in these smaller ships as backup. Still the Philippines has again succeeded in resupplying the small garrison.

4 thoughts on “Hulai II WPC, China Coast Guard’s FRC

    • there are obvious differences, but it does look similar in concept including the stern ramp. Despite their smaller size, I would be the Webber class is more seaworthy and has a longer range. It almost certainly has better comms.

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